An Illustrated Framework for the History of Catholic Immigrant Aid Societies

Exodus 23:9 commands “You shall not oppress a stranger, since you yourselves know the feelings of a stranger, for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt” (NASB). In response, Catholics have organized to assist migrants with issues they face in transit and resettlement. Over the years, these agencies have amassed records that document the forces shaping migration and their effect on human beings. An overview of three of the collections accessible to scholars at the Center for Migration Studies [CMS] in New York City outlines the development of Catholic immigrant aid agencies and identifies topics that might reward study.